play has commenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play has commenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a performance, game, or theatrical production has started. Example: "As the lights dimmed and the audience quieted, the announcement echoed through the theater: 'Play has commenced.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Filming for the political news drama Truth has commenced in Sydney, with Robert Redford slated to play journalist Dan Rather, who was embroiled in controversy following a story about former American president George W Bush.

The Guardian - Film

So much to do, so little time, especially when time plays uncanny tricks and flies once any project has commenced.

HuffPost

· Oral sex has commenced.

The New Yorker

And so a new adventure has commenced.

The Washington Post

The Project has commenced in January 2002.

Acta Astronautica

The club has commenced an internal investigation into the matter".

The Guardian - Sport

The test of Anfield's collective heart rate has commenced.

The Guardian - Sport

The search has commenced to find this year's culinary connoisseurs.

The Guardian

The Morning News's 2010 Tournament of Books has commenced!

The New Yorker

"Work has commenced to engage with ship builders.

The Guardian

So with a heavy heart, the purse hunt has commenced.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "play has commenced" to signal the formal start of a game, performance, or similar event. It provides a clear and somewhat traditional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "play has commenced" in everyday conversation. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "the game has started" or "let's begin".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play has commenced" functions as an announcement or declaration, indicating the formal beginning of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play has commenced" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to formally announce the start of an event, according to Ludwig AI. While "play has commenced" can be appropriate in certain settings, it's crucial to consider the audience and context. If the setting is informal, using a simpler alternative like "the game has started" might be more suitable. Despite the lack of numerous examples, it's important to avoid overuse in casual conversation to prevent sounding overly formal. When used appropriately, it provides a clear and concise way to signal the beginning of an activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the game has begun

Replaces "play" with "game", focusing on sports contexts.

the performance has started

Substitutes "play" with "performance", suitable for theatrical or musical events.

the match is underway

Uses more informal language; "underway" replaces "commenced".

proceedings have begun

A more formal alternative, fitting for legal or official settings.

the show is starting

Less formal, typically used for entertainment events.

the act has begun

Replaces "play" with "act", suitable for situations such as a theatrical performance.

the event has started

Replaces "play" with a more general term such as "event".

the round has begun

Suitable for games or sports divided into rounds.

let the games begin

An idiomatic expression, indicating the start of a competition or challenge.

the curtain has risen

A more metaphorical phrase, often used in theatrical contexts.

FAQs

What does "play has commenced" mean?

The phrase "play has commenced" means that a performance, game, or other event has officially started.

What can I say instead of "play has commenced"?

You can use alternatives like "the game has begun", "the performance has started", or "the match is underway" depending on the context.

Is "play has commenced" formal or informal?

The phrase "play has commenced" is generally considered to be formal. It is often used in theatrical or sporting contexts to announce the official beginning of an event.

How can I use "play has commenced" in a sentence?

You might say, "As the lights dimmed, the announcer declared, 'Play has commenced!'" or "With the referee's whistle, play has commenced and the game is officially underway."